Cost of living in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 49% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 812 prices entered by 129 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 51% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 954 ₨ ($2.89) | $17 | - 83% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,313 ₨ ($3.98) | $9 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 854 ₨ ($2.59) | $4.39 | - 41% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 449 ₨ ($1.36) | $0.93 | + 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 591 ₨ ($1.79) | $4.05 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 302 ₨ ($0.92) | $3.04 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,504 ₨ ($8) | $6 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,181 ₨ ($7) | $4.25 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 332 ₨ ($1.01) | $2.01 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 733 ₨ ($2.22) | $2.62 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,784 ₨ ($14) | $12 | + 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 431 ₨ ($1.31) | $2.56 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 188 ₨ ($0.57) | $2.69 | - 79% | |
| Housing | - 71% | |||
| Housing in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 71% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 283,672 ₨ ($859) | $2,903 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 67,490 ₨ ($204) | $1,862 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 29,603 ₨ ($90) | $248 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 178,078 ₨ ($540) | $1,565 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 64,441 ₨ ($195) | $1,198 | - 84% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 16,287 ₨ ($49) | $131 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,474 ₨ ($11) | $64 | - 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 247,618 ₨ ($750) | $221 | + 239% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 57,004 ₨ ($173) | $80 | + 116% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,326 ₨ ($10) | $11 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 1,000 ₨ ($3.03) | $21 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 22% | |||
| Clothes in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 22% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 16,587 ₨ ($50) | $51 | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 9,963 ₨ ($30) | $41 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 27,034 ₨ ($82) | $84 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 16,450 ₨ ($50) | $101 | - 50% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 15% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 13,918,100 ₨ ($42,169) | $27,761 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 446 ₨ ($1.35) | $1.00 | + 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 6,922 ₨ ($21) | $42 | - 51% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 1,947 ₨ ($5.90) | $25 | - 76% | |
| Personal Care | - 60% | |||
| Personal Care in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 60% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 483 ₨ ($1.46) | $9 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 4,422 ₨ ($13) | $24 | - 45% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 3,162 ₨ ($10) | $98 | - 90% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,288 ₨ ($7) | $8 | - 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 945 ₨ ($2.86) | $4.40 | - 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,485 ₨ ($4.50) | $5.13 | - 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 463 ₨ ($1.40) | $5.11 | - 73% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 286 ₨ ($0.87) | $2.41 | - 64% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,424 ₨ ($4.31) | $20 | - 79% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Colombo (Sri Lanka) is 35% cheaper than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Colombo | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 7,205 ₨ ($22) | $54 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 2,983 ₨ ($9) | $26 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 11,261 ₨ ($34) | $200 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 12,166 ₨ ($37) | $84 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 5,317 ₨ ($16) | $14 | + 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 995 ₨ ($3.01) | $5.08 | - 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,208 ₨ ($3.66) | $5.56 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 446,739 ₨ ($1,354) | $375 | + 261% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 9 ₨ ($0.03) | $0.30 | - 91% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 10,243 ₨ ($31) | $50 | - 38% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,398 ₨ ($10) | $8 | + 25% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 49% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 812 prices entered by 129 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00303
USD
/
LKR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,500 in Houston, Texas you would need to make just about $4,863 (1,605,168 ₨) in Colombo.
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